For years, Brixton is one of London's best-kept secrets.
It's a bohemian neighborhood brimming with art, music, culture and fabulous food.
Brixton has had a huge cultural and artistic impact on the world, as it's where David Bowie, Adele and Fleetwood Mac's Danny Kirwin lived.
Let's find out what you can do about it.
Brixton in London: article summary
Brixton in London: the prisoners' restaurant
The Brixton district has a restaurant run entirely by prisoners. Presented as a different culinary experienceThe Clink restaurant in Her Majesty's Prison, Brixton, is staffed entirely by prisoners.
Inmates earn credits and experience towards a national vocational qualification in hospitality, catering and customer service.
This program enables prisoners to acquire skills and qualifications that they can use upon release. In terms of reducing the risk of recidivism, the program boasts a high success rate.
A truly special moment for a culinary outing in the city.
Visit Electric Avenue
The first street to be lit by electricity, Electric Avenue appeared in the 1880s.
The street was later immortalized in Eddy Grant's 1983 hit Electric Avenue, which reached second place in the UK and US singles charts.
Today, the place attracts crowds thanks to the market held on site. Here, you can find all the products you're looking for and enjoy a good fish & chips in one of the restaurants around the market.
Brixton in London: discover a unique currency
Did you know that Brixton has its own currency?
Known as the Brixton Pound, this currency was first launched in September 2009.
With it, you can pay for shopping and souvenirs in partner stores. The idea is that this money, which can only be spent in Brixton, will encourage spenders to shop locally.
It is estimated that Brixton Pound circulates three times longer in the local community than in national channels.
The coin, available in denominations of £1, £5, £10 and £20, is adorned with famous Brixton characters and places such as :
- David Bowie
- Electric Avenue
- Brixton murals.
Going to the Afro-Caribbean market
London's ultimate Afro-Caribbean market is in Brixton.
Although Brixton Markets sells products from all over the world, it is best known for its wide range of food products and products from Africa and the Caribbean.
The Market is both open-air and under covered arcades housing dozens and dozens of independent boutiques.
Brixton, London: the Tate Library
Built in 1893 entirely with funds donated by Sir Henry Tate, the Tate library has been one of the first free public libraries to open in the capital.
It's also worth noting that the money Sir Tate gave to create the library came from his enormous success as a sugar merchant.
Tate & Lyle sugar has always been a staple in the in many British households!
An age-old cultural meeting point
The earliest evidence of human habitation in the Brixton area comes from the ruins of the Roman roads that ran through the area to the Roman port of Chichester.
In the 11th century, the region was given the name "Brixistane" in reference to a type of stone laid here: Brihtsige.
The stones here were meeting points for the surrounding communities, which means Brixton is a popular neighborhood for nearly 1,000 years!
Brixton, London: have fun at Splash Fest
An ongoing festival in Brixton is the Splash Festival. Held every year on the first Sunday in August, the festival celebrates Jamaican independence and culture.
Emerging local R&B artists, rappers, singers and dancers take center stage, and occasionally find themselves on the international scene.
There's a lot to see in Brixton. During your stay, I recommend you take a tour of this London neighborhood. You discover the English capital in a whole new light.
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